Pregnancy Articles

Choosing a Private Cord Blood Bank

Once you have made the decision to invest in your family’s future by
banking your baby’s umbilical cord blood, begin the search for the right
cord blood

bank. There are numerous cord blood banks all over the country that serve
as storage facilities for this crucial item, so make your decision
carefully. Many parents find this search daunting, simply due to the sheer
number of facilities available.

To avoid picking a cord blood bank that may not meet your wants and
needs, the informative Web site Should
You Bank Cord Blood recommends that you consider the following
factors when making your decision.

Price: This is a main concern to most parents, since it is not cheap to
bank cord blood. However, many cord blood banks have specials depending on
the need of the child or the family, so be sure to do your homework before
you decide. Most cord blood banks offer dramatically reduced rates—or even
free storage—if your new baby or another child is thought to need a
transplant immediately. Otherwise, the best way to determine price is to
contact private cord blood banks to determine if their rates are within your
budget. Keep in mind that cord blood storage acts as an insurance policy for
your family, so consider any other factors before immediately determining
not to store your child’s cord blood simply because of price. Some
company’s, such as Viacord, regularly offer coupons both online and at
doctors’ offices, and many cord blood banks can provide payment plans as
well.

Location: There are private cord blood banks all over the country, so you
are sure to find one near your home. Furthermore, many hospitals work in
cooperation with private cord blood banks, especially those that specialize
in birthing babies, so ask your doctor, nurse, or midwife about this option.
Once you have identified a private cord blood bank in your area, make an
appointment to visit and discuss your options with the bank’s professional
staff. These trained and knowledgeable individuals will be able to answer
any and all questions regarding cord blood storage and the fees and tasks
associated with the storage. Furthermore, the facility will identify a
method for collecting the cord blood, as private cord blood banks often work
in cooperation with a hospital on this issue.

Reputability: In many instances, this search will provide you with
numerous options, but how can you ensure the facility is reputable and
working in your best interest? The answer rests in the hands of the American
Association of Blood Banks, the AABB. This association regularly inspects
blood banks all over the country, providing an accredited status much like
that provided in the college and university system. Before you decide on a
specific cord blood bank, contact the AABB to determine if the private blood
bank is accredited or if it has any complaints lodged against the facility
by other patrons. Think of the AABB as the final word that you can trust in
whether or not the cord blood bank in your location is reputable and worthy
of your child’s precious cord blood.

After you have considered these three main aspects regarding the storage
of your child’s cord blood, the final decision should be less imposing
than attacking the decision blindly. Be sure to keep an open mind during
your search to find a facility that works well with your situation. The
internet is a perfect research tool, as a quick and simple web search will
provide you with countless options for private cord blood banks all over the
country—and all over the world. Before you decide against this option,
make the time to speak with a professional at one of these banks in order to
make the most informed decision about the medical promises that cord blood
can offer to your baby or another child in your family. Finally, if you
decide against banking your baby’s cord blood, consider donating the blood
to a public cord blood bank for research purposes and public use.